In the prestigious competition for the best banknote in the world, traditionally organized by the International Bank Note Society (IBNS), the 2025 award went to the 200-gulden banknote issued by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This is the first such recognition for this central bank, further confirming the quality and innovativeness of their new banknote series.
Global competition and a convincing victory
During 2025, nearly 100 new banknotes were put into circulation worldwide, but only 17 of them met the criteria for nomination, primarily regarding design originality and technical execution. Right from the start of the voting, the 200 guilder banknote was a convincing favorite among IBNS members.
Underwater inspiration and contemporary design
The winning banknote is part of a new five-denomination series inspired by the theme „Underwater World.“ The front of the banknote is oriented horizontally and depicts marine life characteristic of the archipelago, including long-snouted seahorses and a seashell, shown in an optically variable color shifting from blue to green.
The back of the banknote is oriented vertically and depicts one of the region's most recognizable symbols, the Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad, which represents an important cultural and historical element of local identity.
Technical characteristics and security features
The banknote was printed on paper at the Crane Currency printing facility and contains a series of modern security features. Among them, a watermark with a compass motif and the XCG mark, a three-dimensional security thread with a motion effect, intaglio printing, color-shifting ink, security threads that create the illusion of waves, iridescent effects, and see-through registers stand out. Special attention has also been paid to accessibility, so the banknote contains tactile marks on the shorter edges for easier recognition by visually impaired individuals.
The banknote is signed by Central Bank President Richard A. Doornbosch and Executive Secretary Leila A. Matroos Lasten. The dimensions of the banknote are 147 x 66 mm, making it comparable in height, but slightly shorter than US dollar banknotes.
Broader context and trends in banknote design
It is interesting that in recent years polymer specimens and vertical formats have dominated among the awarded banknotes. However, this year's winner represents a kind of exception because it is a paper banknote with a combination of a horizontal obverse and a vertical reverse, which further emphasizes the innovativeness of the design approach.
Other award winners and competition
Second place in this year's selection went to the 5-dollar banknote from Fiji featuring motifs of a bird and a sea turtle, while third place went to the 100-kwacha banknote from Zambia depicting an eagle and giraffes. Among the top five were also banknotes from the Falkland Islands and Papua New Guinea.
The 200-guilder banknote of Curaçao and Sint Maarten clearly shows the direction in which contemporary currency design is evolving, where artistic value, technological sophistication, and strong local themes are merged. Exactly such an approach increasingly brings international recognition and confirms the importance of numismatics as part of a broader cultural heritage.
Edited: Zlatko Viščević with AI assistance.
Source: International Bank Note Society
Photos: Banknote Museum
